Spraying device and operation thereof



Sept. 25, 1951 F. NIEBURG SPRAYING DEVICE AND OPERATION THEREOF 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 10, 1946 Sept. 25, 1951 NlEBURG 2,569,251

SPRAYING DEVICE AND OPERATION THEREOF Filed Dec. 10, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 25, 1951 F, EBURG 2,5 9,251

SPRAYING DEVICE AND OPERATION THEREOF Fi led Dec. 10,. 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Sept. 25, 1951 SPRAYING DEVICE AND OPERATION THEREOF Felix Nieburg, Stockholm, Sweden, assignor to Aktiebolaget Colorator, Stockholm, Sweden, a corporation of Sweden Application December 10, 1946, Serial No. 715,313

In Sweden January 17, 1946 7" Claims. (01. 299-141) The present invention relates to spraying deprovide interchangeable spray nozzles having openings of difierent' shape. In addition to this, there have previously been proposed devices which are capable of altering the shape of the iiiain spray jet by the application thereto of soc'alled forming jets which act on the main jet to alter its shape to desired con-tour.

Such devices as heretofore proposed are, however, relatively cumbersome and complicated insdfar as manipulation of the apparatus to secure the desired effect is concz'erned.

It is the general object of the present invention to provide an improved device-of the kind under consideration which will be simple in construction and easy to manipulate to produce sprays of widely varying contcur without resorting to the use of different spray nozzles. To this end the invention contemplates provision of a novel form of spray device operative in accordance with a novel method, by means of which a main spray jet is influenced under the control of the operator by forming jets comprising what may be termed pressure jets tending to compress the main jet laterally to condense it and what may be termed suction jets tending to expand the jet laterally to widen it. The invention further contemplates provision of pressure and suction jets in such manner as to provide mutual cooperation therebetween to form what may be termed resultant iormingjets acting on the main jet to determine its contour.

More detailed objects and nature of the invention and the manner in which it may advantag'eously be carried into effect may best be understdod from a, consideration of the ensuing portion of this specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, in which: 7

Figure 1 illustrates the spray head, viewed from in front; I i Figure 2 in longitudinal vertical section through Figure 1; V

Figure 3 in longitudinal horizontal section through Figure 1, along the line III-III in Figure 2;

Figures 4 and 4:0,, respectively, illustrate the spray jet and. the adjustmentof the regulating device at full suction-jet efiect and no pressure- .jet effect;

Figures 5, 6 and 5d, 6a, respectively, show in a similar manner a combined suction and pressurejet eliect; and

Figures 7 and 7d a pressure-jet fiectsolly,

In the embodiment illustrated,- the device cemprises a casing I with a channel 2 for the supply of liquid to be atomized, such as color, and with a distribution chamber 3, suitably connected with a source of elastic pressure fluid such as compressed air or gas, preferably the same as that acting to force' the liquid to the channel 2 from the container, on which'the casing I may b'e arranged. The casing I, by means of a threaded muff 4, or in some other way, carries a spray head 5. The channel! is in communication with an axial liquid channel 1, in which'there is a spindle or needle valve 6, rotatable froni outside, the front end 8' of which can be tightly fitted to a seat, for the purpose of regulating the quantity of liquid. In front of the needle valve 6, 8 there is a mixing and atomiz'ingchamber 9.

The distribution chamber -3 for pressure flu-id is connected with two channels I0' and H (Figure 3) and adjoining annular spaces, Illa and I Ia respectively (Figure 2)", the first- -mentionedof which communicatswith four channels I2, while the last-mentioned of the spaces communicates with two channels I3, in the spray head 5. The channels I2 terminatein openings I4, and the channels I3 in the chamber I311 which in turn communicates with the openings F5 in the anterior surface of the sprayheadv 'Theaxe's of the openings I l converge towarda-point -some distance in front of the spray head and constitute jet orifices for producing the'pressureiorming jets, whereas the axes of the-openingsl5 diverge outwardly-from the spray head and constitute jet' orifices for producing thesuctionforming' jets. The openings I4- and I imaybearranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the spray head; 'Any openings of this kind may be of annular 'formor they may bearranged, for example, diametrically opposite to one another in the required number, if desiredyin several groups. The openings I5 must be situatedat a lesser radial distance from the central axis of thspray head than the openings- I i-and may be situated in'fro'nt of the openings I 4;

The supply of pressure fluid to the' openings I 4, I5 is regulated by one" or more regulating devices I6 (Fig.- 3); and in the embodimentshown is in the form of a single valve body with passages I 8 and I9, respectively, for the channels I 0 and II. The said valvebody is rotatably, or" otherwise movably, journalled and is manipulated by a handle H. The passages 18,19 should preferably be arranged approximately at right angles to one another, but this is not essential. It is also possib'le to arrange separate valves for: the channels III, I I, and, if desired, to couple these valves together, or else to manipulate them separately. If desired, the channels l; H may also be connected with separate sources of pressure fluid. Y

.communicates through choke openings 26, 21

with the atomizing chamber 9 and is moreover connected by a channel 28 and the opening 29 1:vith9 the space immediately in front of chamer The seal of the liquidcontrol needle 8 is formed at the anterior end of a sleeve 32, which contains the channel 1 and is carried by the casing I. The sleeve 32 is provided with a part 3|, which in turn holds a tubular piece 30, provided with the openings 26, 21 and connected -with. a jacket 9a, which limits the atomizing chamber 9.

These devices may, of course, be formed in many different ways. In front of the said chamber there is a main spray nozzle 34,

which, in the embodiment illustrated, (Figure 1) has a slot-like opening, the longitudinal direction of the slot approximately coinciding, or being parallel, with a diametral plane through the openings l4, IS. The slot, however, may

' also be arranged at right angles, or at another angle, to this plane. the openings l4, I5 may be rotatable relatively If desired, the slot and to one another. Alternatively, the nozzle 34 may be provided with a more or less circular opening. The inner part 33 of the nozzle is fixed in the spray head 5. The channel 28 and the openings 29 are formed between the said part and the "jacket of the chamber 9.

The whole spray head should preferably be rotatably journalled. The adjustment of the position of the spray head is regulated, for example, by two hand-grips or projections 35, which at the same time serve for the protection of the nozzle 34 (Figure 1).

The atomization of the liquid in the chamher 9 is effected mainly by the pressure fluid flowing through the openings 26, 21. The atomization is facilitated by the arrangement that the pressure fluid is supplied both axially and at an angle to the centrally issuing spray jet, so

that an effective distribution is obtained. The jets through the openings 29 are intended to form a gaseous cushion in front of the chamber 9, in order to prevent the finely distributed mixture coming into direct contact with the sharp edges of the spray nozzle 34, which might give rise to an undesirable offspray during the spraying of the atomized liquid. The atomized spray jet flows out through the nozzle 34 in the form of a flattened fan-shaped jet. The said nozzle 34 should preferably debouch in front of the opening l4, l5, but this is not essential.

The form of the spray jet can now be regulated, by means of the above described devices,

in any desired manner. Some examples are shown in Figures 4-7. According to Figures 4 and 4a, the passage l9 through the valve I6 is I open, while the passage [8 is completely closed. a The openings l4 therefore receive no pressure fluid whereas the openings l=5 receive a full supply thereof. The pressure Y fluid flowing out through openings l5 provides forming jets act-- ing as suction jets S, which, by suction, change" the original cross section I of the spray jet Fr flowing out through the nozzle 34, so that the said cross section is given, instead, a broader form, as indicated by the cross section II. The resulting outer contour of the spray jet is shownat FII.

According to Figures 5 and 5a, to the openings 15 is somewhat more open than the passage Hi to the openings I4. From theopenings N there now issue forming jets act-- ing as pressure jets T, which act on the suction: jets S so that the latter are deflected as shownat S1. The resultant jets S1 thus have a smaller suction effect than the suction jets S in Figure 4; therefore the resulting cross-sectional form; III of the spray jet F111 is not so broad as irr Figure 4.

According to Figures 6 and 6a, more pressure fluid is supplied to the pressure jet openings l4" than-to the suction jet openings l5. The consequence is that the resultant jets T1 predominate over the suction jets S, so that the resultant jets penetrate the spray jet, whereby the latter (Fiv) is compressed into the cross section IV, which is less broad than the original form I. The compressive effect of the pressure jets in this case is reduced by the suction jets S in accordance with the degree to which the passage 19 is opened.

Figures '7 and 7a. illustrate the case in which the supply to the suction-jet openings 15 is completely closed, while the supply to the pressurejet openings I4 is open. The pressure jets T now act with full force, deforming the original spray jet F1, so that it is given a circular cross section, as shown at V. The longitudinal contour of the final spray jet is shown at Fv.

The relativ distribution of pressure fluid to the openings l4, l5 may proceed continuously or step by step.

The velocity of outflow of the suction and pressure jets and of the resultant forming jets should preferably be higher than for the spray jet issuing from the nozzle 34. The devic for the regulation of the pressure fluid supply to the pressure-jet and suction-jet openings may be designed so as to regulate either the pressure or the amount of fluid. The relative area of the openthe passage I9 ings and/or the relative direction or velocity of outflow of the jets may also be regulated.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that many variations in specific design of the apparatus may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention which is to be understood as embracing all forms of apparatus and methods of operation falling Within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a spraying device means providing an atomizing chamber, means for supplying liquid to said chamber, means for supplying gaseous atomizing fluid to said chamber, a spray jet noz-- zle having a slot-like orifice communicating with said chamber for projecting a fan-shaped spray jet of aerated atomized material and means for modifying the form of said spray jet after its emergence from the nozzle comprising a first group of orifices comprising at least one orifice at each side of said spray jet, said orifice being disposed to direct jets of pressure fluid forwardly in the general plane of the spray jet and in directions diverging from the opposite edges of the spray jet for creating a suction effect tending to widen the spray and a second group of orifices comprising at least one orifice at each side of said spray jet, the orifices of said second group being located at a greater radial distance from the axis of the spray jet than the orifices of the first group and being disposed to direct jets of pressure fluid forwardly in the general plane of the spray jet in directions converging toward the opposite edges of the spray jet to narrow the spray. passages admitting fluid separately to each of said groups of orifices, said groups of orifices being so disposed that the converging and diverging pressure jets at the respective sides of the spray jets intersect to produce resultant forming jets projecting forwardly in the general plane of the spray jet and in directions relative to the axis of the spray jet determined by the relative strengths of the converging and diverging pressure jets and valve means for separately controlling the supply of pressure fluid to said first and said second groups of orifices to thereby regulate the direction of said resultant forming jets.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which said valve means comprises a common valve member for controlling said passages for admitting pressure fluid to said orifices, said valve member including means for concurrently and inversely regulating the flow of pressure fluid through said passages.

3. A device as set forth in claim 2 in which said regulating means is arranged t completely close one of said passages in one terminal position of the valve member and to completely close the other of said passages in the other terminal position of the valve member.

In a spraying device means providing an atomizing chamber, means for supplying liquid to said chamber, means for supplying gaseous atomizing fluid to said chamber, a first valve means for controlling the supply of atomizing fluid to said chamber, a spray jet nozzle having a slot-like orifice communicating with said chamber for projecting a fan-shaped spray jet of aerated atomized material, and means for modifying the form of said spray jet after its emergence from the nozzle comprising a first group of orifices comprising at least one orifice at each set of said spray jets, said orifice being disposed to direct jets of pressure fluid forwardly in the general plane of the spray jet and in directions diverging from the opposite edges of the spray jet for creating a suction effect tending to widen the spray and a second group of orifices comprising at least one orifice at each side of said spray jet, the orifices of said second group being located at a greater radial distance from the axis of the spray jet than the orifices of the first group and being disposed to direct jet of pressure fluid forwardly in the general plane of the spray jet in directions converging toward ,the opposite edges of the spray jet to narrow the spray, passages admitting pressure fluid separately to each of said groups of orifices, and a second valve means for separately controlling the supply of pressure fluid to said passages to regulate the supply of pressure fluid to each of said groups of orifices.

5. In a spraying device, means including a nozzle for projecting an aerated spray jet of predetermined cross sectional form, and means for pneumatically altering the form of the jet after emergence thereof from the nozzle comprising, on each of two opposite sides of the jet,

a first orifice radially spaced from the nozzle and a second orifice radially spaced further from the nozzle than said first orifice, the axis of said first orifice diverging angularly away from the axis of the spay jet and the aXis of said second orifice converging angularly toward the axis of the spray jet, passages for supplying pressure fluid separately to said orifices to produce pressure jets projected along the axes of said orifices, said orifices further being disposed so that the jets from said first orifice and from said second orific impinge each other and mingle at a place located to one side of said spray jet to produce a forwardly projected resultant forming jet at said side of said spray jet, and means for separately controlling said passages, whereby to regulate the supplies of pressure fluid admitted to the respective orifices and thereby control the direction of the axis of the forming jet toward and away from the axis of the spray jet to alter the form of the spray jet.

7 6. The method of variably controlling the cross sectional shape of a spray jet of aerated atomized material projected forwardly along a spray axis from a nozzle, which comprises forwardly projecting a first pressure jet angularly diverging away from said axis from a first source located laterally of said nozzle, forwardly projecting a second pressure jet angularly converging toward said axis from a second source located laterally further from said axis than the first mentioned source to intersect at an acute angle and mingle with said first pressure jet at a place located laterally of said spray to produce a resultant forming jet projected forwardly from said place of intersection, supplying pressure fluid separately to said sources and varying relative to each other the supplies of pressure fluid admitted to said sources to thereby vary the relative strengths of said intersecting jets and the direction of the axis of the resultant forming jet toward and away from the spray axis to vary the form of said spray jet.

7. The method as set forth in claim 6 in which the supplies of pressure fluid are regulated to concurrently increase the supply admitted to said first source and decrease the supply to said second source, and vice versa.

FELIX NIEBURG.

REFERENCES CITED file of this patent:

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